Stenusin

Stenusin
Names
IUPAC name
1-Ethyl-3-(2-methylbutyl)-piperidine
Other names
  • N-Ethyl-3-(2-methylbutyl)piperidine
  • Stenusine
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
MeSH stenusin
  • InChI=DYZADDXQHPDPNW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CCC(C)CC1CCCN(C1)CC
Properties
C12H25N
Molar mass 183.339 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Stenusin is a piperidine alkaloid molecule synthesized by rove beetles of the genus Stenus. By lowering its abdomen and releasing stenusin, this genus of rove beetle are able to quickly escape predators through a process called skimming.[1] Skimming is caused by the low surface tension of stenusin, which rapidly spreads over water surfaces when emitted and allows the beetle to glide away from danger.[2]

  1. ^ Lusebrink, Inka; Dettner, Konrad; Seifert, Karlheinz. Biosynthesis of Stenusine. Journal of Natural Products. 2008, 71 (5), 743-745.doi:10.1021/np070310w
  2. ^ Lusebrink, Inka; Dettner, Konrad; Seifert, Karlheinz. Stenusine, an antimicrobial agent in the rove beetle genus Stenus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). Naturwissenschaften. 2008, 95, 751-755. doi:10.1007/s00114-008-0374-z